IT’S Father’s Day on Sunday and one famous dad praised for his parenting skills is Prince William.
The Duke of Cambridge, 37, is often seen as a down-to-earth dad to George, six, Charlotte, five, and two-year-old Louis.
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And it turns out he has a few tricks up his sleeve that can help all parents give their children a happy childhood.
Rebekah Pemberton explores how Wills is raising the young royals.
Sleep guru
GETTING young kids to sleep through the night can be a struggle, but Prince William has an effective tip.
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A source told Fabulous: “Wills would turn the bathroom taps on so George, who was a notoriously bad and light sleeper, drifted off to the sound of running water.
“He employed exactly the same technique with Charlotte, which had the desired effect in no time.”
Nappy days
DESPITE having a highly trained Norland nanny for his kids, William has been keen to get stuck into parenting duties.
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The source added: “William changed Prince George’s nappy in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, London, after he was born.
“He is not squeamish and has changed nappies for all of his three children, even in the back of his Range Rover when there has been an ‘unexpected accident’.”
Carpool karaoke
WILLIAM may have found fatherhood somewhat scary at the beginning, said the source, but he is now “at ease with his growing trio of noisy, boisterous children.”
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He especially loves driving Charlotte and George to their £17,000-a-year south London school Thomas’s Battersea — and will sing to them on the journey.
The source said: “He will often test them on homework, sing a song or play I Spy en route.”
Mind your manners
WHEN the family need some playtime away from the Palace, they have been seen at the £1,280-a-year Hurlingham Club in Fulham.
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A member revealed that the Cambridge children always behave “impeccably” during any visits.
They said: “The family often dine there al fresco and use the club’s sporting and play facilities.
“There is no tantrums or food throwing and the children eat what is set before them.
“They queue up with the rest of the kids and parents in the Harness Room restaurant and ask for no special favours.”
In the real world
PRINCE William has stressed the importance of giving his kids as steady an upbringing as possible.
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He told GQ magazine: “I want to bring up my children in a happy, stable, secure world and that is so important to both of us as parents.
“I want George to grow up in a real, loving environment.
“I don’t want him growing up behind palace walls — he has to be out there.”
In-law a role model
WILLIAM is “far more hands on than his father Charles ever was”, says a source, and he also sees Kate’s dad, Michael Middleton, as a role model for being a loving dad.
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“Wills views Michael as a kindly, grandfather who is amusing, solid, never wants the limelight and is a much-loved member of the team.”
Mental health teacher
AN insider said William is serious about teaching his children the “downside of life”, having experienced loss in his own life.
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A friend said: “They will grow to understand loss, like that of their grandmother Diana, mental health and the frailties and repercussions — but all in good time.
“Now is about stability and love.”
Dinnertime drama
THE trickiest part of being a parent is dinner time, William has admitted.
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Speaking on Zoom to community chef Charlie Farrally from the Scottish charity Peek Project, he said the success of his family meal “depends on what’s on the table”.
He continued: “If parents put something on that children love, dinner time goes on very well.
“But if you put something on the table they don’t want to do, that’s another ball game.”
Mates and Muckers
THE key to William being a secure and happy father is having a close-knit inner circle around him, known as M and Ms (the mates and muckers).
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These include Guy Pelly, Thomas Van Cutsem and Harry Aubrey-Fletcher.
A friend added: “Crucially, they like Kate and she likes them and this helps William as a father. They are an outlet.
“Many are godfathers to the children, childhood friends from Ludgrove Prep school days, Eton and St Andrews University.
“William did not drop his friends when he got married — they grew up with him.”
Security blanket
PRINCE William will often be seen holding the hands of his children when they are out, and this can sometimes be down to security.
A source said: “One Cambridge parenting policy is child handholding in public.
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“Kate takes Charlotte’s hand, William with George and they alternate with Louis.
“William’s mantra is ‘look interested at all times’ out in public.
“The children when getting fidgety are offered a mini treat when home if they comply — usually something outdoorsy — and some home-made ice cream to follow.”
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